Medicare question

[palomalou]

I've a Medicare question (although it may be moot in 7 years when I'm eligible). I called a new doctor's office for an appointment yesterday and when I asked if the particular doctor I was interested in was taking new patients, was immediately told not Medicare or the state Medicaid program. Then before she asked me my name she asked what insurance I had. Ok. But my question is, would that mean that a doctor who did not take Medicare patients wouldn't take them even with supplemental insurance?

 

[Richard4444]

Very basically, Medicare Part A covers Hospitalization and Medicare part B covers Doctor visits. Usually, a participating Doc gets paid by Medicare (Part B) for 80% of the fee and the patient pays the additional 20% and the patient may have a Supplement to pay that 20%. However, if said Doc does not participate, there is no billing of Medicare part B and the Supplement is a moot point. I am sure a post will soon follow with the regulation.

 

[REWahoo]

This Medicare website has a good explanation of what doctors can/cannot charge Medicare patients - which should also help explain why some doctors are in the "opt out of Medicare" category:

Medicare Interactive - Script